Menlo School boys tennis team knocks off California High 6-1 in regional championship, earns rematch with University High of Irvine in state final

The most successful boys tennis program in Northern California prep history finally earned an opportunity to compete for the state’s ultimate prize.

Not only did top-seed Menlo School secure the program’s 12th regional championship Saturday with a 6-1 victory against No. 3 California High of San Ramon at Broadstone Racquet Club in Folsom, but the Knights also advanced to the state final for the first time.

Menlo (29-1) missed the regional tournament last season after capturing the crown in 2023, with California advancing to compete in the inaugural state championship in Fresno, losing 6-1 to University High of Irvine in Fresno.

The Knights, who suffered their lone loss March 15 with a 4-2 setback against University in the semifinals of the All-American Invitational at Redondo Union High, secured a rematch May 31 to decide the state title at 10 a.m. at Sierra Sport and Racquet Club in Fresno.

Menlo School captured its 12th Northern California Regional boys tennis title and advanced to its first state final | Photo courtesy of CIF

University (28-1) won its third consecutive Southern California Regional crown and fifth championship overall Saturday with a 5-2 victory over Harvard-Westlake at Claremont Club.

The Knights equaled the most wins in a season in program history, tying the 2018 Menlo team that achieved a 29-0 record and captured the regional championship with a 6-1 victory against Bellarmine Prep.

Menlo swept all four singles matches Saturday against California, with Cooper Han producing a 6-0, 6-0 triumph at the No. 1 spot against Kenn Wijesekara, Yuanye Ma prevailed 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2 over Jerry Xu, Lucas Huang achieved a 6-4, 6-1 victory at No. 3 against Elbert Said, and Surya De Datta won 6-3, 6-1 at No. 4 over Aditya Powar.

Riley Huang and Arki Temsamani earned a 6-1, 6-3 victory at No. 1 doubles against Vincent Li and Satvik Mallya, with senior co-captains Kavan Kumar and Ben Levin joining forces for the first time to earn a 6-3, 6-1 triumph over Ayaan Krishnan and Vishesh Verma.

California achieved its lone point at No. 2 doubles, with Justin Ge and Lio Gular outlasting Menlo’s David Lipeles and James Park by a 1-6, 6-3, 10-7 margin.

The Grizzlies (22-3) returned to the regional final with a 7-0 quarterfinal triumph over Pleasant Valley and a 5-2 semifinal victory against second-seed Harker School, both played Friday at Broadstone Racquet Club.

Menlo, which had defeated Harker School four times this season, advanced to the final following a 6-1 quarterfinal win against Lowell and 7-0 semifinal victory Friday over Amador Valley.

Han, Ma, Huang and Lipeles all produced straight-set singles victories against Amador Valley.

Huang and Temsamani won 6-2, 6-1 at No. 2 doubles, with Levin and Park earning a 6-3, 7-6 (1) triumph at No. 3 doubles for the Knights.

De Datta and Kumar held off Tai Falcone and Dash Parkinson Lubold by a 6-2, 0-6, 7-5 margin at No. 1 doubles for Menlo.

Ma, Huang and De Datta all won in singles against Lowell, with Dylan Kothari being edged at the No. 4 spot by a 4-6, 6-4, 10-4 margin.

Huang and Temsamani triumphed at No. 1 doubles, Lucas Ying and Lipeles were victorious at the No. 2 pairing, with Brad Engel and Matthew Franc also achieving a win as the No. 3 tandem for the Knights.